Day #3

Today we started in a village where we were able to share with the kids our reason for being with them and the message of Christ. We sang songs with them and shared the representation of Christ through the candy cane. After all this, we passed out Christmas gifts to all the children! The expressions on their faces were priceless!

                                                     Children leaving the church with
                                                                         their gifts

Emily couldn't stop smiling! 

Such a doll! 

We stopped back by one of the family style mission homes. These homes are located in the Safe Haven village within Hope of Life. This village consists of 3 houses, where families have moved in with their own children, to provide a family atmosphere for the orphans. Each family is given 7-10 children from the orphanage, so that these kids have a place to call home, and people to call mom and dad. They are provided with a place where they feel loved and have the same structured environment we have in our homes. One specific couple we visited today was from Virginia. Their names are Patti and Phil Monk, and they have 3 boys of their own, along with 7 kids from the orphanage to complete  their family! Please keep these families in your prayers. They depend solely on the funding of churches and individual sponsors to be able to do this work here! 

We toured several other places at Hope of Life that we didn't get to see last time. Starting with the new Jerry Falwell Center. This is a place designed to be a teaching center for pastors to receive training. This training will equip them to serve their villages better. 

After lunch, we went back to the warehouse to pack more Christmas gifts!

We had to make one last stop by the hospital for our daily visit with the rescue babies! They were so happy to see us and have some play time.

Hermino ran straight to River for a hug

Delmy on the left and Angie on the right

Delmy and Miriam 

Baby Christopher

Tonight we had a movie and pizza party at the orphanage! This is always so much fun for the kids! They just love to sit in your lap, hold your hand, play with your hair, or give you a hug! These kids have so much love to give.  

The house parent I spoke of earlier, Patti, made a statement today that shed a new light on something I have heard many times. She said she watches how love truly does cover a multitude of sins! Having these children who have no one else, come live in a home where love is poured on them,  truly does heal deep wounds that are within each child from the different backgrounds they come from. Only God can do something like that!